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Warriors might select a power forward

By Marcus Thompson II

Bay Area News Group

Posted:
06/22/2009 09:47:55 PM PDT

Updated:
06/23/2009 10:51:08 AM PDT

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FILE - In this March 17, 2009 file photo, Davidson guard Stephen Curry shoots from the perimeter during the second half of the NIT college basketball tournament game in Columbia, S.C. Curry is a top prospect in the upcoming NBA Draft. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick, File)

Warriors General Manager Larry Riley acknowledged with playful reluctance that he's 64. He has been in the league for decades and around the sport even longer.

So, he's bona fide old school. Which is why he has no problems with competition. He is likely to create some on his roster with the No. 7 overall pick in the NBA draft Thursday.

Riley, in a media session Monday, said the Warriors are likely to draft a point guard or a power forward, with the discussion centering mostly on Davidson guard Stephen Curry and Arizona big man Jordan Hill. A selection at either position would create interesting roster decisions this off-season and, if a point guard is drafted, perhaps the need for some smoothing over with guard Monta Ellis.

Drafting Hill would create a logjam at power forward, as Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph are penciled in as the starter and backup. Drafting a point guard might spell the end of the Warriors tenures of Jamal Crawford and C.J. Watson. It also might put some pressure on Ellis to speed up his development at the position.

"We look forward to the day that we get our running game down and we cut our turnovers," Riley said. "And Curry is one of those guys who I think will grow into a low-turnover player. Now is that proven? No, that's a projection on my part. But he has a savvy, a certain understanding about the game."

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Behind Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, who's expected to go No. 1 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers, Hill is the power forward who best fits the Warriors' style of play, Riley said. The G.M. said the team could draft a power forward other than Hill, but that would be a reach at No. 7.

Hill — who said he was told by Coach Don Nelson that the Warriors would take him if he's available — would give the team three athletic and inexperienced power forwards. No matter, Riley said.

"We took power forwards the last (two) years," Riley said. "So at that point, you throw them out there and let them compete and see who can rise to the top. And then you continue to develop the younger players. I don't know who will come out of that scramble with most of the playing time, but the reality is that if you (draft Hill), somebody's probably not going to play much."

Riley also said a priority is becoming a better passing team and to reduce turnovers. Ellis has had some problems in those areas.

Riley said he and Nelson went to Memphis this month to "get on the same page" with Ellis. Riley said management communicates with all of its players but visited Ellis because he "was one of the most important ingredients in our team."

It was rumored that the Warriors visited Ellis to talk him off his trade demand and promise him they wouldn't draft a point guard. But Riley said Ellis has never demanded a trade and that the Warriors are heavily considering drafting a point guard.

Ellis was told the Warriors expect him to be a leader and play about 40 minutes per game, and also that he needs to improve his point-guard skills.

"I don't think he could be a full-time point guard," Nelson said. "No, I think he can be a guard, and I want to steer him in the direction of maybe making more plays for the other guys."

Riley said the Warriors have settled on four point guards they'd be willing to draft, two of whom he expects to be gone by the time the Warriors are on the clock. Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio is widely expected to be a top-five pick, and Curry also could go in the first six picks. The two remaining point guards figure to be from among Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn.